$4 million for Central Library will yield new services

From the 2012-2017 bond program, $4 million in upgrades have begun on the Central Library, a building nearly 20 years old at 600 Soledad St. Projects include four new elevators, public restroom renovations, an entire floor devoted to teens, and new carpet.

In all, there are 10 projects, some already completed, slated for the 240,000-square-foot, six-story building. Library staff estimates the projects will come $5,000 under budget.

Completed projects include new carpet on the second floor, ground floor restroom renovations, new entry signage, audio and visual technology improvements in the auditorium and the relocation of the fiction section from the first to fifth floor.

The rest of the second floor, along with the fifth and sixth floors, are in the process of carpet installation and elevator upgrades. Additional public restroom renovations also are being planned.

“We also did make some exterior improvements in the outdoor plaza area this spring,” library spokeswoman Caitlin Cowart wrote in an email. “We refreshed the space with landscaping improvements including flagstone additions in high traffic seating areas and replacement of the grass.”

All of these enhancements total $2.75 million.

Another $1 million has earmarked for the Teen Service Area, which is set to move from a portion of the first floor to occupy the entire third floor.

“This is probably what we’re most excited about,” Kathy Donellan, the library’s assistant director, said. “It will be a space dedicated to these kids, specially staffed with people to assist them with projects, homework and even games.”

The center will offer computer programming, robot building and even 3D printing. There will also be special study areas, programming equipment, gaming technology, computers, a recording studio and a special selection of reading material that has been in high demand from the 13 to 18 age range.

The San Antonio Library Foundation also is contributing; so far, its secured equipment and furniture for the area, but it also will conduct donor campaigns to enhance the space.

Another $250,000 will go toward retrofitting portion of the first floor into a reading space.

“We had to be careful with the money and make sure we used it in the most thoughtful way,” Donellan said. “We started out with the priorities, things we knew had to be addressed like elevators and bathroom renovations. From there we decided to balance it out and make sure we used some of it to public service with the teen area, which ultimately wouldn’t have been possible without the private gifts from the (San Antonio Library) foundation.”